Door apparatus

ABSTRACT

A multi-piece door assembly including a first door portion and a second door portion, which are removable to create a partially open-air experience or fully open-air experience. A pin pocket design is provided for selectively attaching the first door portion to a variety of different types of second door portions. A blow-out tab is provided to keep the multi-piece door assembly from blowing outwardly away from the vehicle with the increase of internal pressures at high speeds or crosswind situations.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/400,406, filed Sep. 27, 2016. The disclosures of the aboveapplication are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to door panels for UTVs, Jeeps, SUVs orany other vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates toa multi-piece door which is at least partially removable for an open-airfeel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A typical UTV lower half door assembly is known which requires a robustmethod of attaching an upper half door wire frame or composite cassettewith sliding tempered or soft zip polyvinyl chloride (PVC) glass tocomplete the door enclosure. The enclosure needs to be robust enough tohandle rollover protective structure(s) (ROPs) preload and internalpressure traveling at speeds of over 100 mph.

Typical vehicle doors are 1-piece and do not require the same fasteningmechanism or design.

Therefore, there remains a need in the art for a door design that ismulti-piece with a robust design and quick attachment features as wellas incorporating a mechanism to prevent the door from pulling away fromthe ROP of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a two-piece door assembly foroff-road vehicles, 4-door and 2-door sport utility vehicles (SUVs),Jeeps™, utility task vehicles (UTVs), or any other motor vehicle. Thereis provided a robust design to quickly attach a first door portion (suchas an upper half door or “upper enclosure”) to a second door portion(such as a lower half door or “lower enclosure”). This attachment systemis utilized on many different lower door materials (and/or upper doormaterials same or different as lower) and designs, such as, but notlimited to composite molded doors, cast alloy doors, thermoplasticmaterials, cassette, reinforced fiber composites, lightweight materials,tube construction doors, wire frame fabric doors, tube frame, wireframe, mesh, molded ABS, graphite sheet or the like, etc, and anycombinations thereof. A “Blow Out Tab” is provided to keep doors frompulling away from any sport bar, ROPs member sealing surface, frame orother predetermined component surface(s), etc.

In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, a 2-piecedoor is provided. Removing the first door portion (e.g., the upper halfdoor removed) creates an open-air experience of the first door portionof the door.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the two-piece door assembly accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a front elevation view of the two-piece door assemblyaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 1C is a bottom plan view of the two-piece door assembly accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 1D is a side elevation view of the two-piece door assemblyaccording to the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2D are exploded views of FIG. 1A-1D, respectively;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an attachment system, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an attachment system, in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a clamp system according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of first door portion of the two-piece doorassembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustrating airflow pattern around the vehicleand vacuum generated by airflow, in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an upper frame assembly according tothe present invention;

FIG. 8B is a front elevation view of the upper frame assembly accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 8C is a bottom plan view of the upper frame assembly according tothe present invention; and,

FIG. 8D is a side elevation view of the upper frame assembly accordingto the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

Referring to the figures generally, a two-piece door assembly of thepresent invention is shown generally at 10 including a first doorportion shown generally at 12 (e.g., such as an “upper half door” or“first half portion” or “upper enclosure”) and a second door portionshown generally at 14 (e.g., such as a “lower half door” or “second halfportion” or “lower enclosure”). The first and second door portions 12,14are connectable by an attachment system shown generally at 16. In apreferred embodiment, the attachment system 16 includes a plurality ofattachment portions shown generally at 18 (e.g., typically two or moreattachment portions, most preferably three attachment portions). Mostpreferably, the attachment portions 18 have a pin pocket design. Inaddition, the pin pocket design is a universal attachment arrangement,which allows for attaching first door portions 12 to a variety of seconddoor portions 14 of various designs and materials.

According to one embodiment, referring generally to FIG. 3, eachattachment portion 18 has at least one fastener member 20, preferably anupper half door pin which is a male portion of the pin pocket design.The fastener member 20 is connected to a first frame assembly (showngenerally at 19 in FIG. 2B) include a first and second cross structuralmember. Each attachment portion 18 also has an attachment member 22,preferably a lower pin pocket which is a female portion of the pinpocket design. The attachment member 22 is connected to a first frameassembly (shown generally at 21 if FIG. 2B), include a first and secondcross structural member. The upper pin 20 is mounted to the first doorportion 12 and slidably connectable to the attachment member 22 via apin pocket 23 or receiver portion which is an opening formed therethrough. The attachment member 22 is mounted on the second door portion14. The attachment member 22 is typically molded or cast from metal orcomposite.

The attachment member 22 is connected to the second door portion 14 witha plurality of fasteners, e.g., screws, bolts, rivets, etc securedthrough a plurality of apertures 24 formed in the attachment member 22.Preferably, a mounting bracket 26 is sandwiched and held between thesecond door portion 14 and attachment member 22, e.g., by the pluralityof fasteners or is an integrated feature of the second door portion 14,for mounting the attachment member 22 to the second door portion 14. Aplurality of mounting brackets 26 are contemplated (one mounting bracket26 for each attachment member 22), and, alternatively, the mountingbracket 26 is an elongated plate or a cross-bar or tubing on which theplurality of attachment members 22 are mounted (e.g., see FIGS. 2A and5).

According to another embodiment of the present invention referringgenerally to FIG. 4, the pin pocket design has a pin pocket 29 orreceiver portion that is attached on a surface of an attachment member28. Preferably, the attachment member 28 is a mounting plate. Eachattachment portion 18 has an attachment member 28, preferably a lowerpin pocket which is a female portion of the pin pocket design. The upperpin 20 is mounted to the first door portion 12 and slidably connectableto the attachment member 22 via the pin pocket 29. The attachment member22 is mounted on the second door portion 14.

The attachment member 22 is connected to the second door portion 14 witha plurality of fasteners, e.g., screws, bolts, rivets, etc securedthrough a plurality of apertures 30 formed in the attachment member 22,which are preferably elongated apertures. Preferably, a mounting bracket32 is sandwiched and held between the second door portion 14 andattachment member 28, e.g., by the plurality of fasteners or is anintegrated feature of the second door portion 14, for mounting theattachment member 28 to the second door portion 14. A plurality ofmounting brackets 32 are contemplated (one mounting bracket 32 for eachattachment member 28), and, alternatively, the mounting bracket 32 is anelongated plate or cross-bar or tubing on which the plurality ofmounting plates are mounted (e.g., see FIGS. 2A and 5).

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, referringgenerally to FIG. 5, the pin pocket design has a pin pocket 29 that isattached on a surface of an attachment member 34, however, theattachment member 34 is preferably a clamp. The pin pocket 29 isattached on a surface of the clamp 34 portion of a clamp bracketassembly shown generally at 36. The clamp 34 straddles a tubing section38 of the clamp bracket assembly 36 and is mounted on the second doorportion 14. Preferably, the clamp 34 straddles the tubing section 38 andis secured to a mounting bracket 40 and the second door portion 14 by aplurality of fasteners, e.g., screws, bolts, rivets, etc, extendingthrough apertures formed in the clamp 34 and mounting bracket 40. Aplurality of clamps 34 and mounting brackets 40 are contemplatedattached to a respective at least one tubing section 40. The upper pin20 is mounted to the first door portion 12 and slidably connectable tothe attachment member 34 via the pin pocket 29.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5 generally, at least one attachment member isoperably connected to one of the first or second door portions and atleast one fastener member is operably connected to the other of thefirst or second door portions.

Other fastening mechanisms and arrangements suitable for connecting thefirst and second door portions 12,14 depending on the particularapplications are contemplated without departure from the scope of thepresent invention.

The first and second door halves 12,14 can be selectively disconnectedwhen desired and one or more of the door halves 12,14 can be removed fora partially open or open-air feel.

Referring generally to FIGS. 6-7, the two-piece door assembly 10according to an aspect of the present invention is additionally providedwith at least one tab portion shown generally at 42 or “blow-out tab” toengage a predetermined structure on the vehicle to trap the door framekeeping it from blowing out with the increase of internal pressures athigher speeds or crosswind situations or otherwise keep the door 10 frompulling away from the vehicle. Higher speeds are generally at least 30mph, typically at least 50 mph, preferably at least 75 mph, mostpreferably over 100 mph. As the vehicle moves forward (as indictedgenerally by arrow “m”), an air flow pattern around the vehicle develops(as indicated generally by “A”) and a vacuum is generated by airflow.Force pulls the doors 10 generally outward from the vehicle (asindicated generally by arrows “F”). ROPS 44 are depicted generallyadjacent to the windshield 60 and door 10. ROPS 44 are illustrated inthe figures and the tab 42 presses against the ROPS 44 when thedirection of force pulling the doors is generally outward F. Thus, thetab portion 42 keeps the two-piece door assembly 10 from pulling awayfrom the ROPS 44. Preferably, the tab portion 42 is attached to a frame,e.g., such as welded to the peripheral frame 46 of the first doorportion 12. Alternative frames, areas of attachment, attachment to thesecond door portion 14, or attachment to the vehicle are contemplatedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention. By way ofexample, the tab (or an additional tab) can be provided with the seconddoor portion 14 for further door stability or use when the first doorportion 12 is removed. In addition, alternatively, the tab is not fixed;but selectively moveable when desired, rotatable, etc. Additionally, theROPS 44 is illustrative of a vehicle structure engaged by the tab 42,but is not intended to be limiting. Thus, the tab portion 42 is operablylocated and engages any suitable predetermined inner structure, ROPs,ROPs member sealing portion, sport bar and/or frame—thereby trapping thedoor 10 inside (or against the vehicle) to avoid blow out from a sealposition.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A-8D, there is generally illustrated anexemplary door frame assembly shown generally at 48 including at leastan upper frame shown generally at 50 and at least one bracket showngenerally at 52. Preferably, the upper frame 50 has a generally verticalportion 56 and at least two generally horizontal portions 58 operablyconnected thereto, e.g., welded and/or by fasteners. Most preferably,the upper frame 50 is tubing, but any other frame is contemplatedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention. The bracket52 is connected, e.g., welded and/or by fasteners, to the upper frame 50and operably assembled to the vehicle frame.

It is understood that the left side and right side doors are generallymirror-image.

It is understood that the door assembly may be any alternativemulti-piece door assembly with at least one attachment system dependingon the application without departure from the scope of the presentinvention.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and,thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention areintended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A two-piece door assembly for a motor vehicle,comprising: a first door portion; a second door portion connectable tothe first door portion; an attachment system including a plurality ofattachment portions for connecting the first and second door portionstogether when desired.
 2. The two-piece door assembly of claim 1,wherein at least the first door portion is removable from the vehicle tocreate a partially open-air experience.
 3. The two-piece door assemblyof claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an off-road vehicle or utility taskvehicle.
 4. The two-piece door assembly of claim 1, wherein theplurality of attachment portions are pin pocket designs.
 5. Thetwo-piece door assembly of claim 4, wherein the plurality of attachmentportions each include an attachment member operably connected to one ofthe first or second door portions and each include a fastener memberoperably connected to the other of the first or second door portion. 6.The two-piece door assembly of claim 5, wherein the fastener member is apin which is received within the pin pocket design.
 7. The two-piecedoor assembly of claim 6, wherein the attachment member is a pin pocket,and, the pin is received and held within the pin pocket.
 8. Thetwo-piece door assembly of claim 6, wherein the attachment member is aclamp that receives the pin and is operably connected to one of thefirst or second door portions.
 9. The two-piece door assembly of claim8, further comprising a tube section, wherein the clamp straddles thetube section to secure the tube section against the one of the first orsecond door portions.
 10. The two-piece door assembly of claim 1,further comprising at least one mounting bracket operable to connect toone of the first or second door portions and to the plurality ofattachment portions for connect the plurality of attachment portions tothe one of the first or second door portions.
 11. The two-piece doorassembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one blow-out tab thatengages the vehicle structure to keep the two-piece door assembly frompulling away from the vehicle with increased internal pressures athigher speeds or crosswinds.
 12. The two-piece door assembly of claim11, wherein each of the at least one blow-out tabs is welded to thefirst and/or second door portions.
 13. The two-piece door assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the vehicle is a 4-door or 2-door sport utilityvehicle.
 14. The two-piece door assembly of claim 1, wherein the firstand/or second door portions include a wire frame.
 15. The two-piece doorassembly of claim 14, further comprising at least one blow-out tabwelded to a wire frame of the first and/or second door portions includea wire frame to keep the door assembly from blowing outwardly underhigher speeds or crosswinds.
 16. The two-piece door assembly of claim 1,further comprising a door frame including an upper frame with at leastone bracket, wherein said bracket is operably connected to a vehicleframe.
 17. A multi-piece door assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising afirst door half having a plurality of fastener members; a second doorhalf having a plurality of cooperating attachment members selectivelycoupled to the plurality of fastener members, wherein said second doorhalf is selectively removable from the motor vehicle when desired; and,at least one blow-out tab that engages the vehicle structure to keep thetwo-piece door assembly from pulling away from the vehicle withincreased internal pressures at higher speeds or crosswinds.
 18. Themulti-piece door assembly of claim 17, wherein the plurality ofattachment members are pin pockets that receive a respective pin. 19.The multi-piece door assembly of claim 18, further comprising aplurality of mounting brackets operably coupled to the plurality ofattachment members, respectively, said plurality of mounting bracketsoperably connected to a second frame assembly of the first door half.20. A multi-piece door assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising an upperdoor portion having a plurality of fastener members; a lower doorportion having a plurality of mounting plates operably connected to aplurality of receiving members, respectively, wherein said plurality offastener members are selectively slidably received within respectivereceiving members to connect said upper and lower door portionstogether; at least one blow-out tab operably connected to said upperdoor portion and, when in the motor vehicle installed position, isimmediately adjacent a rollover protective structure of said motorvehicle to prevent the multi-piece assembly from pulling outward fromthe motor vehicle by vacuum generated by airflow.